In the wake of the Australian federal election, the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) is urging Christians to respond with prayer and public engagement, pledging to hold lawmakers accountable for important issues affecting religious freedom, family values and freedom of speech.
With the latest updates from supporters of “Where Where From Here,” a place from here, ACL CEO Michelle Pearse congratulated Prime Minister Anthony Albanese after securing re-election on Saturday.
Pierce added that he looks forward to the ACL working constructively with the government.
“The results of this election reflect the broader mood of the country,” Pierce wrote. “In times of uncertainty, many voters choose to be stable against change, others have been influenced by global political trends that are similar to what we saw in Canada.
“But it highlighted what is missing. Leadership based on clear values builds a culture. Instead, you might argue that the fear of losing a vote has led to a careful message and blurry beliefs from many candidates and leaders across the parties.”
Still, the CEO saw “symptoms of encouragement” and first cited the results of families with 13 voters, with over 4% of the first round voting voting for Christian parties. She considered this to be “a strong outcome for the small party and reminds me that many Australians still care deeply about traditional values.”
“For many Christians, election outcomes bring complex emotions, especially in light of policy trends we’ve seen over the past three years,” Pierce added. “But this is not a time of disappointment. It is a time of prayer and faithful engagement.”
The CEO of the ACL has expressed relief that the election results did not return the hanging parliament. She expressed the view that this means that the Green Party will not become a power-sharing role in the House, arguing that this is “a great relief given their track record in promoting policies hostile to Christian values.”
Going forward, the ACL will focus on areas of concern that are important for Christians, and expect Pierce to need a level of advocacy in Congress.
First, freedom of religion. According to Pierce, Labour had pledged to not change anti-discrimination laws that affect Christian schools and institutions.
“We are working to preserve the freedom that schools and institutions can employ staff who share and model Christian beliefs, which is crucial to their identity and mission,” she added.
Second, the ACL welcomes government confirmations, does not return misinformation and disinformation bills to Congress, affecting freedom of speech rights, which sees this as a “positive step” by Pierce. At the same time, she sought the still necessary protections for freedom of speech and the religion of law.
“These are fundamental human rights permitted under international law, but despite the Australian government agreeing to create these two laws, they have not yet been enforced by ours,” Pierce said. “We will continue to promote proper protection in this area.”
The ACL also calls on the government to promote aggressive reforms, including gambling reforms with national regulators and advertising bans. Social issues such as poverty, domestic violence and crime are linked to problematic gambling in studies that link 20% of suicide annually to addiction. Pierce added that 600,000 children in Australia gamble $18 million (US$11,677,320) each year.
“The need for change cannot be denied immediately,” Pierce commented.
Another issue with the updated government is youth justice, in which Pierce highlights the issues of young children as young as 10 in Australian juvenile prisons.
“Many of these children are indigenous and a high percentage have learning disabilities,” she lamented. “A national and therapeutic approach focusing on rehabilitation and long-term change is urgently needed.”
Finally, Pearse pledged that the ACL would observe closely political factions within the Senate in which the Green Party is influential, and monitor attempts to pass “extreme laws” that are believed to oppose Christian ethics.
The expected activities of “teal” independents will be scrutinized by the ACL, according to Pierce, including “removing employment protections from Christian schools and expanding access to euthanasia.”
Pierce pointed to the lack of clarity for the Liberal Party’s future after former leader Peter Dutton lost his Brisbane seat 24 years later on behalf of that district after he failed to persuade voters.
“Some people blame his cultural position on the outcome. Others say he didn’t go as far as he could. Either way, the next leader will help determine how effectively the party protects its core values.”
In conclusion, Pierce asked Christians to pray for those involved in Australia’s future and policy decisions and implementation.
“Through the Bible, we see people of God’s people being called to pray for those with authority, which encourages either Joseph serves Pharaoh, Esther boldly asserts her people’s rights to the king, or Daniel, who serves under Babylonian rule, or believers to lift up “kings and all people with authority” (1 Timss 2:1–2).
“Prayer has always been a faithful response, and as Christians we have the privilege and responsibility to bring our leaders before God.
“Well then, let us stand firm in the truth, stabilize our hope, and lift our nation and its leaders before the Lord in prayer.”
